Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba Label: Sio Coach Recordings/URBNET
When you think about what defines hip-hop, you may often consider the distinctive beats, the soulful vocals, and the cultural connections the genre has with a wide variety of people. Another aspect to consider in determining good and strong hip-hop music is the ability to be fresh and trendsetting, as opposed to merely adaptive. Canada is probably better known for exporting a wide variety of talent in the rock/alternative genre, but of late is becoming recognized deservingly for other genres, especially in the hip-hop and R&B world. Winnipeg’s own Grand Analog has been among the pioneers for the great surge of hip-hop and soul music in Canada and has done so at a pace they set themselves and in a fashion that they created with their own minds.
Grand Analog is by no means a one-trick pony, standing as an eclectic fusion of hip-hop, reggae, rock, dance, electro, jazz, and indie music all mixed into a wonderful blend, with each track being a new and vibrant taste of fresh. Lead by frontman Odario Williams, other members include Williams’ brother Ofield Williams, Alister Johnson, Warren Bray, Damon Mitchell, Arun Chaturvedi, and Darcy Ataman, who round out the group dynamic.
To date, Grand Analog has released two studio albums, 2007’s Calligraffiti, and 2009’s Metropolis is Burning. Both albums possess a unique quality of displaying a different soundscape for each track, a sense of musicality found in each set of lyrics that creates a distinctive atmosphere for each song. Some of their songs have been featured on hit TV shows such as Lincoln Heights and 90210, and during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Grand Analog performed alongside Burton Cummings. The group prides itself on their live performances, of which the consensus is nothing but excellent. Grand Analog is currently touring across Canada, be sure to check them out in concert. For more information, check out the group’s MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/grandanalog
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